The tension in the hall reached a breaking point as the blade pressed deeper into Siyan's soft neck. A thin bead of blood appeared on her skin, and she let out a whimpering cry that tore through Qingxue's heart.
"Wait! Don't hurt the princess!" the head official shouted, his voice cracking with desperation. "Liu Ma or Lord Fei please! She is just a child. We can talk about this. We can negotiate!"
Liu Ma's eyes were cold and devoid of any human warmth. "I am done talking. I have waited twenty years for this moment. I have played the part of the humble servant while you all looked down on me. No more. If you want the girl to live, everyone drops their weapons. Now!"
Qingxue looked at her loyal guards. They were outnumbered and surrounded by the black-armband traitors. She saw the fear in their eyes, not for themselves, but for the Princess. She knew that if a fight broke out now, Siyan would be the first to die.
